Fermentation Container With Detachable Collector for Carbonated Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home brewing systems face challenges in maintaining beverage carbonation, preventing yeast contamination, and ensuring a predictable flow rate during dispensing, while also dealing with large and environmentally unfriendly packaging.
Innovation Solution
A brewing apparatus with a fermentation container and a detachable collector that maintains pressure during fermentation and carbonation, featuring a moveable outlet for waste collection and a tap assembly with adjustable flow control, allowing for efficient beer production and dispensing in a single vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the fermentation container is made tall to allow sediment separation, then the separation of yeast from beverage is improved, but the container becomes difficult to fit into conventional fridges
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is made moveable between a first position (sealed) and a second position (open to collector), allowing the system to dynamically adapt between fermentation mode and collection mode. This resolves the contradiction by enabling effective sediment separation during fermentation while allowing compact storage afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the fermentation container and the detachable collector. The collector can be attached during fermentation for yeast separation, then detached and removed for compact storage in fridges, resolving the height constraint while maintaining separation effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the outlet is sealed to maintain pressure for carbonation, then the beverage carbonation is improved, but the collector cannot be attached or waste cannot be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet incorporates a moveable sealing mechanism that can transition between sealed and open states. During carbonation, the outlet remains sealed to maintain pressure. When waste collection is needed, the outlet opens to allow collector attachment. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining carbonation and enabling operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous pressure retention during fermentation and carbonation phases, then seamlessly transitions to waste collection mode when needed. The moveable outlet ensures pressure is maintained throughout the fermentation process while allowing intermittent access for waste removal without compromising overall carbonation integrity.
3Ease of operation
If the container is degassed to improve flow rate predictability, then the flow rate during dispensing is improved, but the beverage loses carbonation more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful excess gas and yeast waste are extracted through the collector system during fermentation, eliminating the need for degassing before dispensing. This removes the contradiction by allowing the beverage to remain carbonated while achieving predictable flow rates through proper waste removal during the fermentation phase.
Solution Approach 2:
Waste and excess gas are removed in advance during the fermentation phase through the collector, rather than requiring degassing immediately before dispensing. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing the beverage for predictable dispensing while maintaining carbonation levels.
4Ease of operation
If the outlet remains open to allow waste collection, then the ease of waste removal is improved, but pressure is lost and beverage carbonation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet dynamically switches between sealed and open states based on operational requirements. It remains sealed during carbonation to maintain pressure, then opens temporarily to allow waste collection through the attached collector, then seals again. This resolves the contradiction by enabling waste removal without permanent pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable outlet acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the conflicting requirements of pressure retention and waste removal. It allows controlled access for waste collection while maintaining overall system pressure integrity through its sealing capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus maintains beverage carbonation, prevents yeast contamination, and ensures a consistent flow rate, reducing waste and packaging issues, while enabling flexible storage and use.
Implementation Method 1
a first outlet which is moveable between: a first position in which the first outlet is configured to form a pressure-tight seal to seal the fermentation container
Implementation Method 2
The yeast ferments the sugars in the malt extract to produce ethyl alcohol and release carbon dioxide (CO2)
Implementation Method 3
a second position in which the first outlet is configured to allow fluid communication between the fermentation container and the collector
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for brewing and dispensing a beverage comprising a fermentation container for containing and fermenting a beverage, the fermentation container comprising a first outlet, and a collector for collecting waste from the fermentation container, the collector being attachable to and detachable from the fermentation container at the first outlet.